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KARACHI, Nov 11 (APP):The Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad, Tuesday, emphasized the need for greater regional cooperation and innovation to build integrated capital markets capable of mobilizing investment, enhancing resilience, and fostering sustainable growth across Asia.
Jameel Ahmed, delivering his keynote address at the inaugural International Capital Market Conference 2025, lauded the SECP for hosting the landmark event and creating a platform for collaboration among policymakers, regulators, and market participants from across the region.
‘In an increasingly interconnected world, regional market integration is not an option- it is a necessity,’ the governor remarked while speaking on the theme ‘Regional Integration and Innovation in Capital Markets: A New Era of Cooperation,’ and argued that no single country could address contemporary economic and financial challenges in isolation.
He highlighted dimensions of capital market integration and noted that regional capital markets enable smoother capital flows, harmonized regulations, and broader investment opportunities. For economies with low savings rates and limited bank financing capacity integrated regional markets can serve as a critical financing channel- especially for climate and infrastructure projects. ‘When capital is allocated more efficiently, growth becomes more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,’ he added.
Citing successful examples such as the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market and the ASEAN+3 Asian Bond Markets Initiative, the Governor elaborated that integration could lower transaction costs, diversify risk, and broaden investor base.
He pointed out that ASEAN+3’s bond markets had expanded from 88 percent of GDP in 2002 to 133 percent in 2025- demonstrating the power of collective regional action.
To unlock similar benefits in Asia, the Governor outlined four key prerequisites that include alignment of regulatory frameworks, development of market connectivity infrastructure, harmonization of legal and institutional structures, and strengthening of collaboration among regulators and market participants. He also cautioned that integration brings risks of contagion and imbalance, which must be mitigated through strong surveillance frameworks and sound macroeconomic coordination.
Turning to Pakistan’s role, the Governor said the country is now better placed to undertake structural reforms following recent economic stabilization. Under the SBP’s Vision 2028 and the government’s Uraan Pakistan blueprint, efforts are underway to expand access to finance, foster innovation, and build a resilient, technology-driven financial ecosystem.
He highlighted SBP’s key initiatives for advancing regional and domestic integration of capital markets, including cross border expansion of Raast instant payment system through linkage with the Arab Monetary Fund’s Buna platform, as well as developing a unified digital identity and KYC framework with SECP and PSX to simplify investor access across banking, insurance, and capital markets.
‘The integration of our capital markets represents a historic opportunity to harness our own savings for our development, to strengthen financial stability, and to amplify our collective voice in the global financial system,’ the Governor concluded saying ‘Achieving this vision will require sustained political will, regulatory cooperation, and mutual trust. Together, we can build a region that finances its own future.’